Slide fastener

ABSTRACT

In at least a part of a movable range of a slider, a slider upper portion is positioned adjacent to a wall upper portion, and a slider lower portion is positioned adjacent to a wall lower portion. This prevents jamming of a cloth in the slider at both sides of the tape upper and lower surfaces.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure is related to slide fasteners.

BACKGROUND ART

Patent literature 1 discloses that an elongated protrusion is arrangedon an inner surface of a fastener tape to prevent jamming of a lining ina slider. Sewing or bonding of a cord/linear member made of syntheticresin, or thermal bonding of a linear member made of synthetic resin aredescribed as exemplary ways of forming the elongated protrusion. FIG. 3of the literature illustrates an embodiment where an elongatedprotrusion is formed by partially laminating a fastener tape.

Patent literature 2 discloses that a slider is provided with a V-shapedor U-shaped recess so that jamming of a cloth is prevented.

Patent literature 3 discloses that a “plastically deformable” core isinserted into an inside of a tubular woven portion for a purpose ofimproving a shape-retaining characteristic of the slide fastener (Seeclaim 10, para. 0015 and FIG. 3), not directly related to a technicalproblem of jamming of a cloth though.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

-   [Patent literature 1] Japanese Utility-model Application Laid-open    No. 60-105409-   [Patent literature 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No.    2005-160785-   [Patent literature 3] Japanese Patent No. 5403639

SUMMARY Technical Problem

In a case where an elongated protrusion is provided only at an innerside of a fastener tape as disclosed in Patent literature 1, there is apossibility that jamming of a cloth is not prevented because, when aslide fastener is subjected to a deformation such as bending ortwisting, the elongated protrusion would also be deformed. In order tocope with such a problem, one may consider increasing rigidity of theelongated protrusion, but this is not a practical approach as theelongated protrusion can be unacceptably large at the inner side of thefastener tape. Also, it is first of all not possible to prevent jammingof a cloth in a slider at the outer side of fastener tape even if theelongated protrusion is provided at the inner side of the fastener tapeas disclosed in the patent literature 1.

The present inventors have newly identified a technical problem toprevent jamming of a cloth in a slider at both sides of a fastener tapewhile suppressing a bulkiness of a wall that is configured to preventjamming of a cloth in a slider.

Solution to Problem

A slide fastener according to an aspect of the present disclosureincludes: a pair of fastener stringers including a fastener tape and afastener element arranged on a side-edge of the fastener tape, thefastener tape having tape upper and lower surfaces which define a tapethickness; and a slider to be moved to open or close the pair offastener stringers, the slider including a slider upper portion arrangedat the same side as the tape upper surface, a slider lower portionarranged at the same side as the tape lower surface, and a connectingportion connecting the slider upper portion and the slider lowerportion. At least one fastener tape is provided with a wall configuredto prevent jamming of a cloth, the wall being arranged to be spacedapart from the fastener element. The wall includes a wall upper portionarranged at the same side as the tape upper surface and protruding fromthe tape upper surface, and a wall lower portion arranged at the sameside as the tape lower surface and protruding from the tape lowersurface. In at least a part of a movable range of the slider, the sliderupper portion is positioned adjacent to the wall upper portion and theslider lower portion is positioned adjacent to the wall lower portion sothat jamming of a cloth in the slider is prevented at both sides of thetape upper and lower surfaces.

In some embodiments, the wall upper portion is arranged to touch theslider upper portion at least partially and/or the wall lower portion isarranged to touch the slider lower portion at least partially.

In some embodiments, a distance between the slider upper portion and thewall is equal to or less than 1 times a width of the fastener element inthe same direction as that distance; and/or a distance between theslider lower portion and the wall is equal to or less than 1 times awidth of the fastener element in the same direction as said distance.

In some embodiments, the slider has a slit for passing the fastenertape, the slit being defined between opposed portions of the sliderupper portion and the slider lower portion, and a thickness of the wallin an Up-Down direction is in a range between 0.75 times and 5 times awidth of the slit in the Up-Down direction.

In some embodiments, the thickness of the wall in the Up-Down directionis in a range between 1 times and 5 times the width of the slit in theUp-Down direction.

In some embodiments, the wall is flexible. In some embodiments, the wallincludes a tubular structure of the fastener tape and a core enclosed inthe tubular structure. In some embodiments, the core is flexible. Insome embodiments, the tubular structure includes a warp thread having athickness greater than a thickness of a weft thread in the fastenertape.

In some embodiments, the wall is a resin or metal part attached to thefastener tape.

In some embodiments, the slider includes a slider body including anupper wing, a lower wing, and a connecting post connecting the upperwing and the lower wing, the upper and lower wings being arranged toface one another, each of the upper wing and the lower wing has a frontend in which left and right shoulders extends along a Left-Rightdirection and a central recess is recessed rearward at a positionbetween the left and right shoulders, the Left-Right direction beingorthogonal to a movement direction of the slider body.

In some embodiments, the upper wing has a flange protruding toward thelower wing to define a slit for passing the fastener tape, and a frontend of the flange is connected to the front end of the upper wing.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, jamming of a cloth ina slider can be prevented at both sides of a fastener tape whilesuppressing a bulkiness of a wall that is configured to prevent jammingof a cloth in a slider.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic top view of a closed slide fastener according toan aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a slide fastener shown inFIG. 1 , illustrating a slider viewed from a rear side thereof.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a slider according to an aspect of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 4 is a front side view of a slider shown in FIG. 3 .

FIG. 5 is a rear side view of a slide shown in FIG. 3 .

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a slider shown in FIG. 3 ,illustrating an inner surface of an upper wing.

FIG. 7 is a view depicting a schematic configuration of a wall accordingto an aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a schematic partial top view of a slide fastener according toanother aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a slide fastener shown inFIG. 8 .

FIG. 10 is a view depicting a schematic configuration of a slideraccording to another aspect of the present disclosure, a cover separablein Up-Down direction being attached to a slider body.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, various embodiments and features will be described withreference to FIGS. 1 to 10 . A skilled person would be able to combinerespective embodiments and/or respective features without requiringexcess descriptions and would appreciate synergistic effects of suchcombinations. Overlapping descriptions among the embodiments would bebasically omitted. Referenced drawings are mainly for describinginventions and may possibly be simplified for the sake of convenience ofillustration. Individual features will be understood as a universalfeature which is not only effective to slide fasteners disclosed in thepresent specification but also effective to other various slidefasteners not disclosed in the present specification.

Slide fastener 1 is an elongated web having a lengthwise direction, acrosswise direction, and a thickness direction. The slide fastener 1includes a pair of fastener stringers 2,4, and a slider 5 to be moved toopen or close the pair of fastener stringers 2,4. The fastener stringer2 is a component in which a fastener element 30 is secured to aside-edge 13 of a belt-like fastener tape 10 along the lengthwisedirection. Similarly, the fastener stringer 4 is a component in which afastener element 40 is secured to a side-edge 23 of a belt-like fastenertape 20 along the lengthwise direction. The slider 5 is engaged with thefastener elements 30 and 40 in a slidable fashion. The slider 5 movesfrontward so that the pair of fastener stringers 2,4 are closed (thefastener elements 30,40 are engaged), and the slider 5 moves rearward sothat the pair of fastener stringers 2,4 are separated (the fastenerelements 30,40 are disengaged).

In the present specification, Up-Down direction is equal to a thicknessdirection of the slide fastener 1. Front-Rear direction is orthogonal tothe Up-Down direction, and is equal to the lengthwise direction of theslide fastener 1 and the movement direction of the slider 5. Left-Rightdirection is orthogonal to the Up-Down direction and the Front-Reardirection and is equal to the crosswise direction of the slide fastener1.

The fastener tape 10,20 is, for example, a woven fabric or knittedfabric or combination thereof and is an elongated belt-like flexiblefabric. The fastener tape 10,20 is made of plural tape structures. In acase where the fastener tape 10,20 is a woven fabric, a tape structuresuch as a plain weave, twill weave, warp rib weave, or hollow weave(double weave) is configured by plural warp threads and one or pluralweft threads. In a case where the fastener tape 10,20 is a knittedfabric, a tape structure is configured by a warp knitted structure suchas a chain weave, tricot weave and satin weave. If required, a corethread is secured to the side-edge 13,23 of the fastener tape 10,20along the lengthwise direction, thereby increasing the attachmentstrength of the fastener element 30,40 to the fastener tape 10,20, forexample. Structures, configurations and thickness of the fastener tapecan be variously determined by a skilled person in the art.

The fastener tape 10 has a tape thickness defined by a distance betweena tape upper surface 11 and a tape lower surface 12 illustrated in FIG.2 . The fastener tape 20 has a tape thickness defined by a distancebetween a tape upper surface 21 and a tape lower surface 22 illustratedin FIG. 2 .

The slider 5 has a slider upper portion 5A arranged at the same side asthe tape upper surface 11,21 of the fastener tape 10,20, a slider lowerportion 5B arranged at the same side as the tape lower surface 12,22 ofthe fastener tape 10,20, and a connecting portion 5C connecting theslider upper portion 5A and the slider lower portion 5B. The slider 5 isfurther provided with slits S1,S2, defined between opposed portions ofthe slider upper and lower portions 5A and 5B, for permitting thefastener tape 10,20 to pass there-through. Width of the slit S1,S2 inthe Up-Down direction (i.e. Slit-width) is equal to a distance between aportion (e.g. a flange) of the slider upper portion 5A and a portion(e.g. a flange) of the slider lower portion 5B which define the slitS1,S2. Typically, the width of the slit S1,S2 in the Up-Down direction(i.e. the slit-width) is greater than a thickness, in the Up-Downdirection, of a portion of the fastener tape 10,20 provided in the slitS1,S2, but should not be limited to this. The opposed portions of theslider top and lower portions 5A and 5B, defining the slit S1,S2, may bein contact with the respective upper and lower surfaces 11,21 and 12,22of the fastener tape 10,20 when the slider 5 moves frontward orrearward.

For example, as shown in FIGS. 2-6 , the slider 5 is configured by asingle component of a slider body 5 j (with an optional pull tab 6attached thereto). The slider body 5 j has upper and lower wings 51 and52 arranged in the Up-Down direction to face each other, a connectingpost 53 connecting the upper wing 51 and the lower wing 52, apull-attachment column 54 arranged on the upper wing 51, and apull-attachment column 55 arranged on the lower wing 52. The sliderupper portion 5A is configured by the upper wing 51 and thepull-attachment column 54. The slider lower portion 5B is configured bythe lower wing 52 and the pull-attachment column 55. The connectingportion 5C is configured by the connecting post 53. Note that, FIGS. 3-5shows a condition before the pull-attachment columns 54,55 areplastically deformed.

Y-shaped element passage is formed in the slider body 5 j which isbifurcated by the connecting post 53. A pair of front openings 58A,58Bare arranged at the left and right sides of the connecting post 53. Arear opening 59 is arranged at the opposite side of the front openings58A,58B. The front openings 58A,58B are arranged to sandwich theconnecting post 53 in the Left-Right direction orthogonal to themovement direction of the slider body 5 j. Separated fastener elements30,40 move into and out from the slider body 5 j via the front openings58A,58B. Engaged fastener elements 30,40 move into and out from theslider body 5 j via the rear opening 59.

The upper wing 51 is provided with flanges 56 p,56 q which are protrudedtoward the lower wing 52 so as to define respective slits S1,S2 forpassing the fastener tape 10,20. Similarly, the lower wing 52 isprovided with flanges 57 p,57 q protruded toward the upper wing 51 so asto define respective slits S1,S2 for passing the fastener tape 10,20.The slit S1,S2 extends in the Front-Rear direction to communicate thefront opening 58A or 58B and the rear opening 59. Passage for the leftor right fastener element 30,40 is provided between the connecting post53 and a respective one of the flanges 56 p,56 q. Passage for theengaged left and right fastener elements 30,40 is provided in a spacerearward of the connecting post 53 and between the flanges 56 p,56 q.The height of the protruded flange 56 p,56 q is greater than the heightof the protruded flange 57 p,57 q in the illustrated example, but a caseis envisioned where they are at the same height.

The slit 51 has a slit width S10 that corresponds to a distance betweenthe flange 56 p of the upper wing 51 and the flange 57 p of the lowerwing 52 in the slider 5. In a case where the slider 5 is not providedwith a flange, the slit width S10 corresponds to a distance between theslider upper portion 5A and the slider lower portion 5B of a space inthe slider 5 where the fastener tape 10 passes through. Similarly, theslit S2 has a slit width S20 which corresponds to a distance between theflange 56 q of the upper wing 51 and the flange 57 q of the lower wing52 in the slider 5. In a case where the slider 5 is not provided with aflange, the slit width S20 corresponds to a distance between the sliderupper portion 5A and the slider lower portion 5B of a space in theslider 5 where the fastener tape 20 passes through. For example, theslit width S10,S20 is greater than a minimum value of the tape thicknessof the fastener tape 10,20.

In the present embodiment, the fastener tape 10 has a wall 14 arrangedto be spaced apart from the fastener element 30 with an interspace.Similarly, the fastener tape 20 has a wall 24 arranged to be spacedapart from the fastener element 40 with an interspace. Theabove-described interspace, i.e. a distance between an edge of thefastener element 30 at the side of the wall 14 and an edge of the wall14 at the side of the fastener element 30 is equal to or less than awidth of the fastener element 30 in the Left-Right direction. Thethickness of the wall 14 is greater than the tape-thickness of the otherportion of the fastener tape 10. The thickness of the wall 24 is greaterthan the tape-thickness of the other portion of the fastener tape 20.The wall 14,24 has a wall upper portion 14A,24A protruding from the tapeupper surface 11,21 in the thickness direction of the fastener tape10,20, and a wall lower portion 14B,24B protruding from the tape lowersurface 12,22 in the thickness direction of the fastener tape 10,20. Thewalls 14,24 are provided to prevent jamming of a cloth.

The thickness of the wall 14,24 in the Up-Down direction may be in arange between 0.75 times and 5 times the width of the slit S1,S2 in theUp-Down direction (Slit width S10,S20). Preferably, the thickness of thewall 14,24 in the Up-Down direction is greater than the slit widthS10,S20. That is, the thickness of the wall 14,24 in the Up-Downdirection is in a range between 1 times and 5 times the width of theslit S1,S2 in the Up-Down direction (the slit width S10,S20). Such aconfiguration allows further facilitation of preventing jamming of acloth. Furthermore, preferably, the thickness of the wall 14,24 in theUp-Down direction is twice the width of the slit S1,S2 in the Up-Downdirection (the slit width S10,S20). Such a configuration allowsfacilitation of preventing jamming of a cloth without any change on asliding property of the slider 5.

As shown in FIG. 2 , the wall 14,24 has a tubular structure 15,25 of thefastener tape 10,20 and a core 16,26 enclosed in this tubular structure15,25. FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the fastener tape10,20, depicting a condition of plural warp threads relative to a weftthread. The tubular structure 15,25 includes plural warp threads 93 pera weft thread. The warp threads 93 are arranged to surround the core16,26 in its periphery. The tubular structure 15,25 is based on a hollowweave (double weave). Note that a method of forming a hollow weave isknown for skilled ones in the art, and thus detail descriptions will beomitted. The wall 14,24 is configured to include the weft thread and thewarp threads likewise the other portion of the fastener tape 10,20, thussuppressing that more attention is to be paid to the wall 14,24 when thetape upper surface 11,21 or the tape lower surface 12,22 is looked at.

The wall 14,24 is formed simultaneously when the fastener tape 10,20 iswoven, allowing precise positioning of the wall 14,24 and omission ofadditional step of attaching the wall 14,24 onto the fastener tape10,20. Moreover, there is no risk of removal of the wall 14,24 off thefastener tape 10,20.

The wall 14,24 may be flexible, preferably. In such a case, even if theslider 5 slides while touching the wall 14,24, not all stress is appliedfrom the slider 5 to the wall 14,24, thus a functionality of preventingjamming of a cloth is obtained without sacrificing a sliding property.Also, it is avoided or suppressed that the wall 14,24 is worn due to thecontact between the slider 5 and the wall 14,24.

The thickness of the warp thread 93 in the tubular structure 15,25 ofthe wall 14,24 is greater than the thickness of the warp thread 91 inthe other portion. The thickness of the warp thread 93 in the tubularstructure 15,25 of the wall 14,24 is greater than (e.g. 3 times) thethickness of the weft thread. The core 16,26 of the wall 14,24 is aknitted cord and includes a bundle of threads covered by skin threads inits periphery. The strength of the core 16,26 is greater than thestrength of a core thread arranged on a side-edge 13,23 of the fastenertape 10,20 along the lengthwise direction. The core thread is a twistedcord and formed by bundling and twisting plural threads. The core threadcan contract in a given extent. Warp threads in a hollow weave (doubleweave) around this core thread are the same as and have the samethickness as the weft threads. Note that, the thickness of the warpthreads used in the wall 14,24 may be equal to or greater than 3 timesthe thickness of the weft thread in the above descriptions but shouldnot be limited to this. In a case where the core thread of the wall isthickened, the thickness of the warp thread used for the wall may beequal to the thickness of the weft thread. Note that, the core 16, 26has been described as a knitted cord, but should not be limited to thisand can be a metal wire or resin wire.

The fastener element 30,40 is, for example, a coil element which is amono-filament wound in helix but can be configured by arrangement ofmetal or resin elements. The fastener element 30,40 can be attached tothe fastener tape 10,20, in accordance with its type, through swaging,injection-molding, or sewing. Embodiment is also envisioned where thefastener element 30,40 is woven together in the structure of thefastener tape 10,20.

Rear stop 7 can be attached to cover the left and right fastenerelements 30, 40. Front stop 8 can be attached to the fastener element30. The front stop 9 can be attached to the fastener element 40. Notethat the rear stop 7, the front stop 8, and the front stop 9 can beattached to cover not only the fastener element but also to cover atleast a portion of the wall 14,28.

For example, the tape upper surface 11,21 may be positioned at an outerside of a garment to which the slide fastener 1 is sewn, and the tapelower surface 12,22 may be positioned at an inner side of the garment.It is however envisioned that this relationship is reversed. It is notpossible to see if a cloth of garment is on a moving path of the slider5 in the internal space of the garment. Therefore, that cloth is likelybe jammed in the slider 5. Whereas, one does not necessarily take aclose look at the slider 5 or its periphery when operating and movingthe slider 5. That is, there is a possibility that a cloth of garmentcan be jammed in the slider 5 even in the outside of the garment. It isenvisioned that a cloth of garment is more likely be jammed in theslider 5 if thinner cloth is used for the garment. The slide fastener 1can be used for opening and closing not only for garments but also fortents or sleeping bags. The sleeping bag is configured by filling heatstorage material inside pockets made of a thin cloth. It is envisionedthat the slider 5 is operated by a hand only without being looked at,and thus the slide fastener 1 according to the present disclosure wouldbe suitably used.

Distance between the rear stop 7 and the front stop 8,9 in the slidefastener 1 is defined as a movable range R5 (See FIG. 1 ) of the slider5. In at least a part or the entirety of the movable range R5 of theslider 5, the slider upper portion 5A is positioned adjacent to the wallupper portion 14A,24A and the slider lower portion 5B is positionedadjacent to the wall lower portion 14B,24B, thus preventing jamming of acloth in the slider 5 at both sides of the tape upper and lower surfaces11,12,21,22. In particular, it is possible that the respective tapeupper and lower surfaces are provided with a solid portion of the wall14,24 which is necessary for ensuring a solidity of the wall 14,24.Therefore, it is possible to prevent jamming of a cloth in the slider 5at both sides of the fastener tape 10,20 while suppressing a bulkinessof the wall 14,24. Note that, the movable range R5 of the slider 5 is,typically, a range between the rear stop 7 and the front stop 8,9, butone or both stop members can be omitted in some cases.

In some cases, a distance between the slider upper portion 5A and thewall 14 is in a range of 0-1 times the width of the fastener element30,40 in the same direction as that distance (i.e. in the Left-Rightdirection); and/or a distance between the slider lower portion 5B andthe wall 14 is in a range of 0-1 times the width of the fastener element30,40 in the same direction as said distance (i.e. in the Left-Rightdirection). When the above-described width is at 0 times, the sliderupper portion 5A and the wall 14 are in contact each another. The sameapplies to the relationship of the slider lower portion 5B and the wall14.

The wall upper portion 14A,24A is arranged to touch the slider upperportion 5A and/or the wall lower portion 14B,24B is arranged to touchthe slider lower portion 5B, not necessarily limited to this tough. In aflat condition shown in FIG. 1 where the slide fastener 1 is not bent ortwisted, the wall 14,24 and the slider 5 are in contact each another. Acloth is more effectively prevented from being positioned frontward ofthe front opening 58A,58B of the slider 5, rearward of the rear opening59 of the slider 5 and adjacent to the slit S1,S2 of the slider 5.

Further detail descriptions will follow on contact between the wallupper portion 14A,24A and the slider upper portion 5A and contactbetween the wall lower portion 14B,24B and the slider lower portion 5B.As shown in FIG. 2 , it is preferable that the wall upper portion14A,24A and at least a side surface of an end of the slider upperportion 5A at the side of the rear opening touch one another. It ispreferable that the wall lower portion 14B,24B and at least a sidesurface of an end of the slider lower portion 5B at the side of the rearopening touch one another. Such arrangement would be particularlydesirable for a case where jamming is envisioned when a slider is pulledrearward.

It is desirable that the wall upper portion 14A,24A and at least a sidesurface of an end of the slider upper portion 5A at the side of thefront opening touch each other. It is desirable that the wall bottomportion 14B,24B and at least a side surface of an end of the sliderlower portion 5B at the side of the front opening touch each other. Sucharrangement would be particularly desirable for a case where jamming isenvisioned when a slider is pulled frontward.

More preferably, the wall upper portion 14A,24A and a side surface ofthe slider upper portion 5A, extending substantially across the entirelength between the front opening and the rear opening, are in contact asshown in FIG. 1 . Preferably, the wall lower portion 14B,24B and a sidesurface of the slider lower portion 5B, extending substantially acrossthe entire length between the front opening and the rear opening, are incontact.

Also, in a case where a surface of the wall upper portion 14A,24A isround, it is preferable that a corner of a flange of the slider upperportion 5A is kept touching the round surface of the wall upper portion14A,24A as shown in FIG. 2 . In a case where a surface of the wall lowerportion 14B,24B is round, it is desirable that a corner of a flange ofthe slider upper portion 5A is kept touching the round surface of thewall lower portion 14B,24B.

The above-described manners of contact can be distinguishable recognizedas a respective independent inventive concept, and combinations thereofwould also be distinguishably recognized as different inventiveconcepts.

As shown in FIG. 6 , the front end of the upper wing 51 has left andright shoulders 51 p,51 q extending in the Left-Right direction and acentral recess 51 r recessed rearward at a position between the left andright shoulders 51 p,51 q. Likewise, the front end of the lower wing 52has left and right shoulders 52 p,52 q extending in the Left-Rightdirection and a central recess 52 r recessed rearward at a positionbetween the left and right shoulders 52 p,52 q. According to such aconfiguration, even if a cloth is positioned in front of the slider 5,the cloth may be guided into the central recess 51 r,52 r when theslider 5 moves frontward, and thus it may less likely be jammed in theslider 5. That is, it may be possible to reduce a risk that a cloth iscaught in a space between the slider and the periphery of the fastenerelement. Preferably, the left or right shoulder is a linear portion thatextends linearly in the Left-Right direction.

As a further option, the front end of the flange 56 p,56 q is coupled tothe front end of the upper wing 51. In cases where left and right walls14, 24 are arranged as described below, a possibility is low that acloth traverses the wall 14,24 to reach the flange 56 p,56 q and isnipped between the flange 56 p,56 q and the fastener element 30,40. Thedescriptions made for the upper wing 51 holds true for the lower wing52, and thus overlapping description is omitted.

The flange 56 p,56 q has a flange rear portion 56 p 1,56 q 1 and aflange sloped portion 56 p 2,56 q 2 arranged frontward of the flangerear portion 56 p 1,56 q 1. The flange rear portion 56 p 1,56 q 1 extendin parallel to the movement direction of the slider 5. The interspacebetween the flange rear portions 56 p 1,56 q 1 is constant along theFront-Rear direction. The flange sloped portion 56 p 2,56 q 2 extendsobliquely frontward from the flange rear portion 56 p 1,56 q 1. Theinterspace between the flange sloped portions 56 p 2,56 q 2 increasesfrontward. In some cases, an angle between the flange rear portion 56 p1,56 q 1 and the flange sloped portion 56 p 2,56 q 2 is in a rangebetween 15° to 35°.

The fastener tapes 10,20 are respectively provided with the walls 14,24,thus preventing a cloth from moving in a direction toward the centralline AX of the slide fastener 1 in the Left-Right direction shown inFIG. 1 (see the arrows). However, this case cannot cope with a casewhere a cloth is positioned in front of the slider 5 between thefastener elements 30,40. As described above, the front end of the slider5 is provided with the central recess 51 r,52 r and, when the slider 5moves frontward, a cloth in front of the slider 5 is guided into thecentral recess 51 r,52 r, thus preventing a cloth from entering into aspace between the slider 5 and the fastener element, i.e. jamming of acloth in the slider 5 is prevented.

Other than a case where the walls 14,24 are integrally formed with thefastener tape 10,20 as shown in FIG. 2 , it may be configured byattaching a separate part to the fastener tape 10,20. For example, itmay be possible that a first core thread is sewn onto the tape uppersurface and a second core thread is sewn onto the tape lower surface sothat a wall protruding in the Up-Down direction is formed. Even in suchan arrangement, it is possible that the respective tape upper and lowersurfaces are provided with a solid portion of the wall 14,24 which isnecessary for ensuring a solidity of the wall 14,24. Therefore, jammingof a cloth in the slider 5 can be prevented at both sides of thefastener tape 10,20 while suppressing a bulkiness of the wall.

FIG. 8 illustrates that the wall 14,24 is divided into plural islands 14i,24 i. Even in such a case, similar effects would be achieved as theabove-described embodiments. Each island 14 i,24 i is elongated in theFront-Rear direction, but should not be limited to this shape. Theislands 14 i,24 i can be attached to the fastener tape 10,20 throughswaging, injection molding, sewing and so on likewise the fastenerelement 30,40. Similar to the above-described cases, each island 14 i,24i may have a tubular structure 15,25 and a core 16,26 enclosed in thistubular structure 15,25. Needless to say, it is possible to employmetal-made or resin-made islands.

FIG. 9 shows an embodiment where the walls 14,24 are resin or metalparts and attached to the fastener tape 10,20 through injection moldingor swaging. Material of the wall 14,24 would be various and a use ofcore such as a cord is not mandatory.

FIG. 10 shows an embodiment where the slider 5 is configured by a sliderbody 5 j and a cover 5 u attached thereto. The cover 5 u is a retrofitcomponent attached to the slider body 5 j to prevent jamming of a clothin the slider body 5 j. The cover 5 u is configured to prevent jammingof a cloth in the slider 5 when the slider 5 moves frontward (see FIG.10 ) and/or to prevent jamming of a cloth in the slider 5 when theslider 5 moves rearward. The cover 5 u is constructed, for example, froma cover upper portion covering the slider upper portion 5A of the sliderbody 5 j from above, a cover lower portion covering the slider lowerportion 5B of the slider body 5 j from below, and a connecting portioninterconnecting the cover upper portion and the cover lower portion. Thecover top and lower portions are coupled by a method such as amechanical fit in the connecting portion such that the slider body 5 jis accommodated in the slider body 5 j. Note that the cover upperportion is a part of the slider upper portion 5A arranged at the sameside as the tape upper surface 11,21. The cover lower portion is a partof the slider lower portion 5B arranged at the same side as the tapelower surface 12,22. The connecting portion interconnecting the coverupper portion and the cover lower portion is a part of the connectingportion 5C interconnecting the slider upper portion 5A and the sliderlower portion 5B.

In the case shown in FIG. 10 , the cover 5 u is configured to define aspace for holding the slider body 5 j, a left passage 81A for the leftfastener element, and a right passage 81B for the right fastenerelement. The left passage 81A is in spatial communication with a leftpassage 71A at the left side of the connecting post 53 of the sliderbody 5 j. The right passage 81B is in spatial communication with a rightpassage 71B at the right side of the connecting post 53 of the sliderbody 5 j. Note that the left and right passages 71A,71B in the sliderbody 5 j are in communication with a passage 71C provided rearward ofthe connecting post 53 of the slider body 5 j. Such a cover 5 u has beenknown for a skilled person as disclosed in International Publication No.2016/035125 (which is incorporated herein by reference), and thus detaildescriptions will be omitted.

The slider body 5 j is not a special/dedicated slider shown in FIGS. 3-6, but is a commonly used slider. In the present embodiment, likewise theabove-described embodiments, in at least a part of or in the entirety ofthe movable range R5 of the slider 5 (FIG. 1 ), the upper portion of theslider 5 (i.e. the upper portion of the cover 5 u of the slider 5) ispositioned adjacent to (e.g. touches) the upper portion of the wall14,24 and the lower portion of the slider 5 (i.e. the lower portion ofthe cover 5 u of the slider 5) is positioned adjacent to (e.g. touches)the lower portion of the wall 14,24 so that jamming of a cloth in theslider 5 is prevented at both sides of the tape upper and lowersurfaces. Therefore, similar effects as the above-described embodimentscan be obtained in the present embodiment either.

Based on the above teachings, a skilled person in the art would be ableto add various modifications to the respective embodiments. Referencenumbers in Claims are just for reference and should not be referred fora purpose of narrowly construing the scope of claims. Use of thespecial/dedicated slider shown in FIGS. 3-6 is not mandatory. The wall14,24 should not be limited to an arrangement where it extends linearly,but the wall 14,24 may meander or extend in zigzag.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   1 Slide fastener-   2 Fastener stringer-   4 Fastener stringer-   5 Slider-   10 Fastener tape-   14 Wall-   14A Wall upper portion-   14B Wall lower portion-   20 Fastener tape-   24 Wall-   24A Wall upper portion-   24B Wall lower portion-   30 Fastener element-   40 Fastener element

That which is claimed is:
 1. A slide fastener comprising: a pair offastener stringers including a fastener tape and a fastener elementarranged on a side-edge of the fastener tape, the fastener tape havingtape upper and lower surfaces which define a tape thickness; and aslider to be moved to open or close the pair of fastener stringers theslider including a slider upper portion arranged at the same side as thetape upper surface, a slider lower portion arranged at the same side asthe tape lower surface, and a connecting portion connecting the sliderupper portion and the slider lower portion, wherein: at least onefastener tape is provided with a wall configured to prevent jamming of acloth, the wall being arranged to be spaced apart from the fastenerelement, the wall includes a wall upper portion arranged at the sameside as the tape upper surface and protruding from the tape uppersurface, and a wall lower portion arranged at the same side as the tapelower surface and protruding from the tape lower surface, in at least apart of a movable range of the slider, the slider upper portion ispositioned adjacent to the wall upper portion and the slider lowerportion is positioned adjacent to the wall lower portion so that jammingof a cloth in the slider is prevented at both sides of the tape upperand lower surfaces.
 2. The slide fastener of claim 1, wherein the wallupper portion is arranged to touch the slider upper portion at leastpartially.
 3. The slide fastener of claim 1, wherein a distance betweenthe slider upper portion and the wall is equal to or less than 1 times awidth of the fastener element in the same direction as that distance;and/or a distance between the slider lower portion and the wall is equalto or less than 1 times a width of the fastener element in the samedirection as said distance.
 4. The slide fastener of claim 1, wherein:the slider has a slit for passing the fastener tape, the slit beingdefined between opposed portions of the slider upper portion and theslider lower portion, and a thickness of the wall in an Up-Downdirection is in a range between 0.75 times and 5 times a width of theslit in the Up-Down direction.
 5. The slide fastener of claim 4, whereinthe thickness of the wall in the Up-Down direction is in a range between1 times and 5 times the width of the slit in the Up-Down direction. 6.The slide fastener of claim 1, wherein the wall is flexible.
 7. Theslide fastener of claim 6, wherein the wall includes a tubular structureof the fastener tape and a core enclosed in the tubular structure. 8.The slide fastener of claim 7, wherein the core is flexible.
 9. Theslide fastener of claim 7, wherein the tubular structure includes a warpthread having a thickness greater than a thickness of a weft thread inthe fastener tape.
 10. The slide fastener of claim 1, wherein the wallis a resin or metal part attached to the fastener tape.
 11. The slidefastener of claim 1, wherein: the slider includes a slider bodyincluding an upper wing, a lower wing, and a connecting post connectingthe upper wing and the lower wing, the upper and lower wings beingarranged to face one another, each of the upper wing and the lower winghas a front end in which left and right shoulders extends along aLeft-Right direction and a central recess is recessed rearward at aposition between the left and right shoulders, the Left-Right directionbeing orthogonal to a movement direction of the slider body.
 12. Theslide fastener of claim 11, wherein the upper wing has a flangeprotruding toward the lower wing to define a slit for passing thefastener tape, and a front end of the flange is connected to the frontend of the upper wing.
 13. The slide fastener of claim 8, wherein thecore includes a plurality of threads.
 14. The slide fastener of claim 8,wherein the core includes a bundle of threads.
 15. The slide fastener ofclaim 8, wherein the tubular structure comprises warp threads and a weftthread.
 16. The slide fastener of claim 1, wherein the wall upperportion and at least a side surface of a rear end of the slider upperportion touch one another.
 17. The slide fastener of claim 1, whereinthe wall lower portion and at least a side surface of a rear end of theslider lower portion touch one another.
 18. The slide fastener of claim16, wherein the wall lower portion and at least a side surface of a rearend of the slider lower portion touch one another.
 19. The slidefastener of claim 1, wherein the wall lower portion is arranged to touchthe slider lower portion at least partially.
 20. The slide fastener ofclaim 2, wherein the wall lower portion is arranged to touch the sliderlower portion at least partially.